Top Performers: Richwoods vs Metamora
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Sectional final night is one of the best 4-5 hours of the year in high school basketball. It lived up to it as always. The game I took in matched two of the titans from central Illinois in defending champs…
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Continue ReadingSectional final night is one of the best 4-5 hours of the year in high school basketball. It lived up to it as always. The game I took in matched two of the titans from central Illinois in defending champs Metamora and state contender Peoria Richwoods. Richwoods jumped out fast especially in the second quarter leading 28-18 at half. Pushed to as many as 14 in the 3rd quarter. The champs wouldn’t go down without a fight! Metamora stormed back behind their three stars hitting some big threes getting to within 6 in the final minutes, but could never get closer as Richwoods won 61-55. Here is our look at the top prospects in the game with Top Performers: Richwoods vs Metamora!
Lathan Sommerville Lathan Sommerville 6'9" | C Richwoods | 2024 State #85 Nation IL (Richwoods – 2024 – Rutgers)
Sommerville wanted this one! Really bad! You could tell from the opening tip when on the first possession he powered in for an and-1 he was ready for the moment. Over and over again throughout the night he converted and-1s and got his opponents in foul trouble. Massive dunks and was relentless on the glass. His passing also stood out in this game as he dished out quite a few dimes with his passing out of the post to cutters and shooters. Outstanding all-around performance by the Rutgers commit who dropped 22 points.
Tavie Smith Tavie Smith 6'1" | PG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL (Richwoods – 2024)
Smith is the leader at the point for this team. His speed and burst off the bounce is so impressive. Acrobatic finishes at the rim finishing with bounce. This kid can go! He had 10 points. Pressure the ball and is a pest on the defensive end.
Jared Jackson Jared Jackson 6'3" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL (Richwoods – 2024)
Jackson had one of the best games we have seen from him all year long. The athletic shooting guard high-pointed rebounds among the trees. Rebounds very well for a guard. Force defensively with his aggressiveness. Offensively he won on spin moves and hit a three. The athleticism at the rim really stands out. He had 13 points.
Daquan Little Daquan Little 6'1" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL (Richwoods – 2024)
Little is the third guard and was the x-factor. He out performed Metamora’s x-factor and that was a big difference in this one. Little hit a pair of threes along with getting to the rim for 12 points.
Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL (Metamora – 2024 – Iowa)
Koch was excellent in his game. He showed what makes him so intriguing at the next level. The Iowa commit is a skilled four that can play inside and out. Floater early to get things started. Right handed hook shot, runners, put backs, and threes. Also really passed it well all night long. Had several blocks along with 24 points. His game translate so well to what successful Iowa players have done in the past.
Tyler Mason Tyler Mason 6'2" | SG Metamora | 2024 State IL (Metamora – 2024 – Winona State)
The Winona State signee is an athletic shooting guard that hit a three early and scored on a back cut. Got to the line at a good clip in this game as well. His ability to make shots while attacking the basket and playing in a system will be so valuable at the D2 level. Finished career with 12 points in this one.
Matthew Zobrist Matthew Zobrist 6'5" | SG Metamora | 2025 State IL (Metamora – 2025)
Zobrist is among the top junior wings in the state. He started off a bit slow, but got it going in the second half from deep. The lefty sniper drained a trio from deep including a couple that got Metamora back in the game. Shooters with size that can pass off a live dribble like him are so valued at the next level. He had 11 points.